Study of the Rheological, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Organoclay Composites and Fibres

In this paper, the spinning of polypropylene (PP)/montmorillonite (MMT) composites, as well as the structure and selected mechanical properties of composite fibres are presented. In the experimental work the commercially available organically modified montmorillonites Cloisite 15A (C15A) and Cloisite 30B (C30B) were used. The organoclays were incorporated into the matrix of PP fibres in the form of concentrated PP/organoclay dispersion before spinning. The rheological properties of concentrated PP and PP/organoclay dispersion were investigated to estimate the melt mixing of these components and spinning conditions. A positive effect of both organoclays on the geometrical and structural non-uniformity of PP composite fibres was found. MMT acts as a nucleating agent in PP and can affect the crystallisation rate and supermolecular structure of PP fibres. PP composite fibres formed at a maximum draw ratio showed a higher tensile strength (tenacity) and Young's modulus in comparison with unmodified fibres.